Ghana have suffered a significant setback ahead of their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry into Canada, ruling him out of the Black Stars’ first group-stage fixture against Panama.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Spanish club Villarreal, had been expected to travel with the Ghana squad from its training base in Boston, United States, to Toronto for the Group L encounter scheduled for June 17.
However, FIFA confirmed that Partey would be unable to enter Canada after his visa application was rejected by Canadian authorities.
In a statement, football’s governing body stressed that immigration decisions remain the sole responsibility of host governments and are outside FIFA’s jurisdiction.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on June 17, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement said.
Canadian immigration authorities have not publicly commented on the specific reasons for the decision, citing privacy regulations. However, under Canadian law, entry may be denied to foreign nationals facing serious criminal proceedings or undergoing certain legal reviews abroad.
The development comes as Partey continues to face criminal charges in the United Kingdom. The former Arsenal midfielder has been charged with multiple counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has consistently denied the allegations. The case remains before the courts, with trial proceedings expected to continue in the coming years.
Despite the ongoing legal case, Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz included Partey in his World Cup squad, maintaining that the player remains eligible for selection under the principle of presumed innocence until proven guilty.
Partey’s absence is expected to create a major tactical challenge for Ghana. The experienced midfielder has been a key figure for the Black Stars for nearly a decade, earning more than 50 international caps and playing a central role in the team’s midfield structure.
His unavailability for the Panama match could force the coaching staff to adjust their plans as Ghana seek a positive start to their World Cup campaign.
However, the midfielder’s participation in the tournament may not be entirely over. Having already secured entry into the United States, Partey remains with the squad at its training camp and could be available for Ghana’s subsequent group-stage matches on American soil, including fixtures against England and Croatia.
Ghana will now turn its focus to its opening clash with Panama as the Black Stars attempt to navigate an early setback in their quest to advance from Group L.
